After being a human computer, Katherine’s life at NASA changed. She got a new job, and worked in the Flight Research Division. She worked diligently and accomplished a lot even though the division was run by white men. The men doubted Katherine just because of her gender and race, but she proved them wrong. She had not only persevered through segregation, but also equality for women.
Before, women were not allowed to have their names put on research reports. Although she wrote a research report with Ted Skopinski, she didn't get any credit. However, in 1960, her name was put on the report, and she got the credit she deserved. This was the first time that any woman in the division received credit for a report.
Katherine worked on Friendship 7, a rocket that would carry astronaut John Glenn through three orbits around Earth. She had a very difficult job: to track Glenn’s landing point within two miles. In February, 1962, Friendship 7 took off, and successfully landed where Katherine predicted. This was a huge turning point in the race between the Soviet Union and the USA.
Not only did Katherine help with Friendship 7, but she worked on many other projects. In 1961, she tracked the trajectories of Alan Shepard’s Mercury flight. She did calculations to connect the Apollo Lunar Lander with the Command and Service module, which orbited the moon. Katherine worked on the Space Shuttle and Earth Resources Satellite project. To top it off, she did 26 research reports!
Katherine Johnson played a huge role in the space program at NASA. She persevered through the barriers of segregation and gender equality, and helped with numerous successful projects. She changed NASA, and helped many women today follow their goals and dreams.
Video: Visionary Project, 2010